Gary Brewer
March 14, 1937 — November 1, 2017
Gary Ross Brewer, son of Gerald and Elna (Rasmussen) Brewer was born March 14, 1937 in Audubon, Iowa, and died November 1, 2017 at Treasure Coast Hospice, Port St. Lucie, Florida at the age of 80 years.
He attended country school and graduated from Elk Horn High School. He was united in marriage to Betty (Johnson) Brewer on Feb 22, 1959 in Kimballton IA. To this union 4 children were born Julie, Rodney, Donna and Jerry.
Gary, like his father Gerald, built things. He could build things from nothing, and from the ground up. He built a business, built houses, helped build his community, but most importantly he built a strong life for himself and his family. He built things to stand the test of time.
A strong man who possessed both resiliency and toughness. He maintained these attributes his entire life displaying an amazing work ethic and an unending drive. He focused on doing the right things, and doing things right. He instilled the same strong work ethic in his children by engaging them in the family business at young ages.
He was a member of the Better Elk Horn Club, the volunteer fire department, and even served as mayor of his community. Gary used his unique skills, spare time, work ethic and his money to promote worthy causes. He donated to the school, his town, the church, the Danish Windmill, and other national and religious organizations. He was a proud American who also served in the US Army Reserve.
When Gary wasn’t building or volunteering you would most definitely find him out fishing. He absolutely loved fishing. He grew up fishing with his mother, father, and his siblings. He continued to fish throughout his whole life, traveling to Canada, Texas, Florida and many other places. He passed this passion on to his children, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He taught many members of the family how to fish and it was made known that bobbers were not allowed. He could somehow maneuver the boat so that he had the spot that allowed him to catch the most and the biggest fish.
Gary and Betty were quick to make friends and loved having them and family visit their residences. They would host card games and fish frys making sure no one left hungry. Gary made some of the best tasting fish and he was always a good host. Friends calling to express their sympathy have remarked on those fish frys and some of those fish stories.
Another tradition that was passed through to generations of family members was playing cards. Gary’s famous saying when he would play cards was “rattle that cup” which meant it was time for players to put a nickel or dime in for losing a hand or going set. This did not happen to him or Betty very often. They played a lot of card games and also introduced the family to many new ones. These games would become very competitive and often extended into the wee hours of the morning. There were always tears of laughter around the table and many fun times.
Gary had a great sense of humor and even until his final day he would charm complete strangers and those providing him medical attention. He rarely missed an opportunity to tell of the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn where his father, Gerald, was instrumental in providing skilled craftsmanship. He handed out windmill cards wherever he went. All his vehicles proudly displayed the “I’ve been through the Mill” bumper stickers.
Gary always desired to make things better for those family members and friends around him, by taking on projects big and small. He was a strong man with strong beliefs. He was always able to summon the strength to take on these tasks until his strength finally left him in his final days. He had a strong belief that he could make a difference. He also loved to tinker. There is no doubt that he is in heaven tinkering away.
Preceding Gary in death are his parents, Gerald and Elna (Rasmussen) Brewer.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Betty Brewer; his children Julie (Steve) Hansen of Greenfield, Iowa; Rodney Brewer of Leawood, Kansas; Donna (Gregg) Pollard of Ashland, Nebraska; and Jerry Brewer of Leawood, Kansas. Siblings Ivan Brewer of Arizona; Judy (Don) Gresham of Texas; and Kent (Annelle) Brewer of Oregon. Siblings in-law Delores (Bob) Bebensee of Atlantic, Iowa; Bill (Karen) Johnson of Avoca, Iowa; Duane (Joan) Johnson of Avoca, Iowa; and Charlie (Janetta) Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska. Grandchildren Tyler Hansen; Tanner (Iliana) Hansen; Tara (Will) Erickson; Paige (Charley) Green; Taylor Pollard; Megan Pollard; and Hailey Pollard. Great grandchildren Layla Hansen; Jakob Hansen; Mason Hansen; Kaleb Erickson; and Kameron Erickson. Two step great grandchildren Isaiah Perez; and Annie Perez.
He attended country school and graduated from Elk Horn High School. He was united in marriage to Betty (Johnson) Brewer on Feb 22, 1959 in Kimballton IA. To this union 4 children were born Julie, Rodney, Donna and Jerry.
Gary, like his father Gerald, built things. He could build things from nothing, and from the ground up. He built a business, built houses, helped build his community, but most importantly he built a strong life for himself and his family. He built things to stand the test of time.
A strong man who possessed both resiliency and toughness. He maintained these attributes his entire life displaying an amazing work ethic and an unending drive. He focused on doing the right things, and doing things right. He instilled the same strong work ethic in his children by engaging them in the family business at young ages.
He was a member of the Better Elk Horn Club, the volunteer fire department, and even served as mayor of his community. Gary used his unique skills, spare time, work ethic and his money to promote worthy causes. He donated to the school, his town, the church, the Danish Windmill, and other national and religious organizations. He was a proud American who also served in the US Army Reserve.
When Gary wasn’t building or volunteering you would most definitely find him out fishing. He absolutely loved fishing. He grew up fishing with his mother, father, and his siblings. He continued to fish throughout his whole life, traveling to Canada, Texas, Florida and many other places. He passed this passion on to his children, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He taught many members of the family how to fish and it was made known that bobbers were not allowed. He could somehow maneuver the boat so that he had the spot that allowed him to catch the most and the biggest fish.
Gary and Betty were quick to make friends and loved having them and family visit their residences. They would host card games and fish frys making sure no one left hungry. Gary made some of the best tasting fish and he was always a good host. Friends calling to express their sympathy have remarked on those fish frys and some of those fish stories.
Another tradition that was passed through to generations of family members was playing cards. Gary’s famous saying when he would play cards was “rattle that cup” which meant it was time for players to put a nickel or dime in for losing a hand or going set. This did not happen to him or Betty very often. They played a lot of card games and also introduced the family to many new ones. These games would become very competitive and often extended into the wee hours of the morning. There were always tears of laughter around the table and many fun times.
Gary had a great sense of humor and even until his final day he would charm complete strangers and those providing him medical attention. He rarely missed an opportunity to tell of the Danish Windmill in Elk Horn where his father, Gerald, was instrumental in providing skilled craftsmanship. He handed out windmill cards wherever he went. All his vehicles proudly displayed the “I’ve been through the Mill” bumper stickers.
Gary always desired to make things better for those family members and friends around him, by taking on projects big and small. He was a strong man with strong beliefs. He was always able to summon the strength to take on these tasks until his strength finally left him in his final days. He had a strong belief that he could make a difference. He also loved to tinker. There is no doubt that he is in heaven tinkering away.
Preceding Gary in death are his parents, Gerald and Elna (Rasmussen) Brewer.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Betty Brewer; his children Julie (Steve) Hansen of Greenfield, Iowa; Rodney Brewer of Leawood, Kansas; Donna (Gregg) Pollard of Ashland, Nebraska; and Jerry Brewer of Leawood, Kansas. Siblings Ivan Brewer of Arizona; Judy (Don) Gresham of Texas; and Kent (Annelle) Brewer of Oregon. Siblings in-law Delores (Bob) Bebensee of Atlantic, Iowa; Bill (Karen) Johnson of Avoca, Iowa; Duane (Joan) Johnson of Avoca, Iowa; and Charlie (Janetta) Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska. Grandchildren Tyler Hansen; Tanner (Iliana) Hansen; Tara (Will) Erickson; Paige (Charley) Green; Taylor Pollard; Megan Pollard; and Hailey Pollard. Great grandchildren Layla Hansen; Jakob Hansen; Mason Hansen; Kaleb Erickson; and Kameron Erickson. Two step great grandchildren Isaiah Perez; and Annie Perez.
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